November 2009 Vol. 1, Issue 10 (PDF - 16.2Mb) - Department of ...

School Design Awards Xxxx
Shine 47
The school has the latest environmentally sustainable design (ESD)
initiatives, including energy efficient lighting, a skewed roof plane to
increase natural light, shaded windows to prevent glare, skylights and
open plan learning spaces whose design resulted from comprehensive
consultation with teaching staff and students.
Proud principal Martin Culkin says the new school has provided an
environment that is innovative, warm, welcoming and utterly conducive
to effective teaching and learning. “The environment is flexible,
purposeful, colourful and comfortable,” Mr Culkin says. “It is efficient,
clean and fresh. It excites and welcomes, and is uplifting for students,
teachers and visitors.”
Mr Culkin says that students and teachers have adapted particularly
well to the new approaches to teaching and learning and to the new
physical environment. “We are particularly impressed with the thermal
comfort level – there is no doubt, even at this early stage of occupation,
that there is a positive link between thermal comfort and improved
learning outcomes.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES O’ROURKE